Note: Troy Andersen was one of the top Treasure State high school athletes in recent memory and last fall had a fantastic freshman season on the football field at Montana State. The Dillon native played both offense and defense at times for the Bobcats and was named a finalist for the FCS Jerry Rice Freshman of the Year award. The teenager rushed for 515 yards and five touchdowns, and also recorded nine tackles and a quarterback sack. He played exclusively at linebacker this spring for the Bobcats. We caught up with him this week for our Sunday Conversation.

Q: You’ve sure had a great career so far, Troy. Has Division I FCS football been everything you’ve hoped and dreamed it would be?

A: Yes. It’s been a lot of fun so far. I’ve met some really good guys and we have some great coaches. It’s been great.

Q: I understand you might not be carrying that football next fall, doggone it Troy. What do you think?

A: I’m excited. Coach Ty (defensive coordinator Gregorak) is a very good coach and I really like the transition to linebacker. I think I’m getting it down a little bit. Hopefully I can continue to hone in and, I don’t know, be a little productive next season.

Q: Is it a different mindset playing defense rather than offense?

A: Yes, kind of. You know, you’re trying to avoid people on offense (laughs). On defense you’re reacting more to what the offense is doing, and offense you can call a play and run it usually. That’s the biggest change.

Q: I can only imagine what the thrill of scoring a touchdown is. Perhaps recording a quarterback sack or tackle for loss is like that, too? Or maybe force a fumble?

A: Yes, for sure.

Q: There are some big shoes to fill at linebacker with the graduation of Mac Bignell. He was a great one for the Cats, wasn’t he?

A: He sure was. It was awesome to sit behind Mac and watch and learn from him. He’s a tremendous leader. To watch how he went about his business at practice and see how he carried himself as a person … It was pretty special to play behind him.

Q: Was it a difficult transition this spring to go from running back to a full-time linebacker? Or was it pretty smooth?

A: It went fairly smoothly. The coaches did a really good job. I know what I’m doing and feeling pretty comfortable. The coaches don’t push too much on you all at one time. I think it went pretty good.

Q: Have you made some strides physically during the winter?

A: I think so. We really focused on strength during the offseason and I think that really helped me. I’m at 225. I think that’s a good weight for me. I feel like I’m making progress.

Q: Are you still as fast as ever?

A: (laughs) I think so.

Q: Were you born and raised in Dillon, Troy?

A: Yes, I was.

Q: Do you have other family members who played sports for the Beaverhead County Beavers?

A: I just have an older sister, Holly. She did all the sports at Dillon and then came here and ran track for the Bobcats for a while, but she hurt her ankle pretty bad and wasn’t able to continue running.

Q: How about your folks? Were they athletes?

A: My dad played basketball for a few years at Eastern Oregon. They were high school athletes.

Q: Did your parents grow up in Montana?

A: Yes, they’re from Dillon. Scott and Nicole Andersen.

Q: I know Terry Thomas wasn’t your head football coach at Dillon, but I’ve known him for a long time and he’s a Great Falls man that we’re very proud of here. What impact did Terry have on your career?

A: I was fortunate enough to play basketball for him. He’s a really good leader and great coach, someone I’ll always look up with great respect. It was awesome to know him and play for him.

Q: What makes Terry such a successful coach, Troy?

A: First off, he’s just really knowledgeable about the game. Both football and basketball. And he’s so well-respected. When he walk in the room it gets quiet, because you don’t want to miss anything he’s saying. He’s a really cool guy to be around and I’m glad I got a chance to know him.

Q: Rick Nordahl was your football coach for the Beavers, right? What makes him a special coach.

A: Yes. I grew up around Rick. His son (Todd) was one of my best friends. Rick is really funny and charismatic. He made practice fun. He was a really good coach.

Q: I think you helped make those coaches successful, Troy. How many state titles were you a part of in high school?

A: A couple in football, a couple in basketball, and one in track. Thank you.

Q: I know that Rick stepped down. Have they announced a replacement as Beavers’ head football coach?

A: Yes. It’s going to be Zach McRae. He’s an alum. He was a really good player.

Q: I know you were pretty heavily recruited by college programs. Which other schools pursued you the hardest and where else did you consider going?

A: I always grew up a Bobcat fan. So when that opportunity came I had to take it. It’s what I always wanted.

Q: Bozeman, it’s close to Dillon and a beautiful place to be, right?

A: Oh yes, for sure.

Q: I know you’re very early in your Montana State career, but is professional football a goal?

A: I don’t know. I guess I’m going to just try to play linebacker right now. I want to learn that position and be productive. Other than that I don’t really know what the future holds.

Q: What was it like being a true freshman last September and playing against Washington State so early in your college career?

A: Yes, that was crazy (laughs). It was a little different than Beaverhead County High School. I was pretty nervous, but once they blow the whistle it’s just football. Once you get that first hit out of the way, you just relax and calm down.

Q: What was it like to play in your first Bobcat-Grizzly game last November?

A: That was also crazy. I grew up watching it. When you’re from Montana you know how special it is. And then being able to be a part of it is really something else. All the fans from both sides of the state watching … Just the passion and intensity of the rivalry is pretty impressive.

Q: I know a lot of Bobcat fans are fired-up for this season. What would you say about the 2018 Bobcats?

A: I think we’re going to be really good. We have a lot of good players coming back. We lost a few really good players, guys like Mitch Herbert, Bryce McCabe and Mac, but we know a lot of players coming back and I think we’re going to make a big impact in the Big Sky.

Q: Are you an avid hunter and fisherman?

A: Yes, I do enjoy that.

Q: Was that part of the reason you wanted to stay in state for college?

A: Yes. I just really like Montana. I couldn’t see myself anywhere else.

Q: What are you studying at Montana State?

A: Mechanical Engineering.

Q: Good for you. What does your father do in Dillon?

A: My folks own a ranch.

Q: I see. So you’re a cowboy, Troy?

A: Well (laughs), I guess a little bit.

Q: I know Matt Miller, one of the Bobcat assistant coaches, would love to be a real cowboy (laughs).

A: I know. Matt and my dad get along pretty good.

Q: Have you done any rodeo events in the past?

A: No (laughs). I’ve never rodeod. We’re kind of a four-wheeler ranch outfit.

Q: I see. Where is your ranch located?

A: About eight miles north of Dillon. That’s where we have our cattle in the winter. We summer them up like 40 miles southwest of Dillon.

Q: Is there anything you’d say, Troy, about your career thus far in Bozeman and the direction it’s headed?

A: I’m just looking forward to the summer, getting bigger and stronger and being around the guys. We’ve got a cool group of guys on this team and I’m really looking forward to next year.

Q: I guess you won’t be able to help on the ranch if you’re spending the summer in Bozeman.

A: I know (laughs). My parents are sad. They’re going to have to hay without me for the first time this summer. I don’t know how they’re going to swing that. But I’m sure Dad will figure it out.

Q: It’s a pleasure to talk to you and congrats on the great start to your Montana State career.

A: Thank you. I really appreciate it.

Scott Mansch’s Sunday Conversations appear frequently in this space. He can be reached at 791-1481 or smansch@greatfallstribune.com